SaferProducts incident

Failure type

Fire / ignition

Incident narrative

SaferProducts.gov consumer incident report 20150724-C6E31-2147429980. Severity: Incident, No Injury. Product: Lenovo 42T5282 (Lenovo Laptop Power Cord - Lenovo AC Adapter 65W, 20V -> FRU P/N 42T5282. The power cord was supplied with the Laptop. There was no end of life specified for the laptop or the AC Adapter.). Incident: I worked a long day on my Lenovo T60 laptop (6459-CTO) on July 9, 2015. Around 7:30PM, I smelled rubber burning and soon after, I saw smoke coming from the power cord (Lenovo AC Adapter 65W, 20V -> FRU P/N 42T5282). It ignited very close to the connection point with the laptop. I quickly pulled out the cord from the computer and soon after realized that I needed to unplug it altogether from the power source which I did and eventually the cord cooled off. And I have not used it since (to be trashed). What is disturbing to me, is the attitude of the Lenovo Customer Service representative when I called on July 13, 2015 2:23PM (ET) (call duration 12 minutes 30 seconds). I wanted to report the incident to make them aware of a problem that could have ended badly like an engulfed house fire. They would not hear or listen to any of it. They really showed no responsibility or accountability for their defective product and resulting incident. The rep basically said that "an accident was adverted, therefore was not a concern" (I paraphrased). I think this is incredibly irresponsible for a company that sells electronics for home use where families with babies evolve. My desk is made of wood and the power source lays on the wood surface by just about 1/5 of an inch. Please do your best so families don't end up mourning their loved ones because a company decides that it is OK to risk their consumers' lives as though human beings are as disposable as their defective products. Thank you!